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  • Breadcrumb

    1. Home
    2. Crime, justice and the law
    3. AccessNI criminal record checks
    4. AccessNI for employers
    AccessNI: Criminal record checks

    AccessNI registered bodies

    Only registered bodies are authorised to send standard and enhanced checks to AccessNI. Some registered bodies are also umbrella bodies. They are allowed to manage AccessNI standard and enhanced checks for employers who aren’t registered bodies.

    Becoming a registered body

    When an organisation applies to become a registered body, AccessNI checks:

    • they are likely to send more than 20 standard or enhanced check applications every year
    • they are a legitimate organisation entitled to ask an exempted question under the Rehabilitation of Offenders (Exceptions) Order (Northern Ireland) 1979
    • they will follow AccessNI’s code of practice

    AccessNI can impose penalties on a registered body that breaks the conditions of registration.

    The application to become a registered body must be completed by a suitable person in the organisation. This person will be the lead signatory. They must be over 18 and must have never been removed from AccessNI register. They will also be checked for any criminal record.

    The lead signatory can appoint counter signatories. Only approved signatories are authorised to manage the registered body’s disclosure process. They make applications for checks and receive disclosure certificates.

    • AccessNI registered bodies - signatories

    Apply to become a registered body

    Apply by logging in to your nidirect account. If you don't have a nidirect account, you need to create one to apply.

    • Guide to creating a nidirect account
    • Apply to become a registered body

    Apply to become a counter signatory

    You must be invited by an AccessNI registered body to become a counter signatory.  Apply by logging into your nidirect account. If you don't have a nidirect account, you need to create one to apply.

    • Guide to creating a nidirect account
    • Apply to become a counter signatory

    Log in to access your registered body homepage

    If you applied online to become a registered body, you can log in to your homepage. You will be able to:

    • see and send applications you received
    • manage your account
    • track the progress of applications
       
    • Log in to an AccessNI nidirect account

    Training for registered bodies

    AccessNI now offers training through a series of videos, each lasting 15 to 20 minutes. They are useful for both new and established signatories. 

    The videos and a transcript for each session are available via the following page:

    • AccessNI Training

    Best practice for registered bodies

    To make sure that registered bodies follow best practice, AccessNI has a code of practice and sample policy statements.

    Code of practice for registered bodies

    To protect information about applicants, registered bodies must follow AccessNI’s code of practice. The code makes sure information released in standard and enhanced checks is:

    • used fairly
    • handled and stored appropriately
    • kept for only as long as is necessary but not more than six months

    AccessNI audits registered bodies to make sure of satisfactory compliance with the code of practice. AccessNI can deregister a lead or counter signatory in a registered body that doesn’t keep to AccessNI’s code of practice on information security.  

    Registered bodies don't automatically receive a copy of the applicant’s certificate. Registered bodies will need applicants to provide their certificates when the certificate includes criminal history or other information.

    If your organisation needs to ask an applicant to provide their certificate, read a sample request letter:

    • Sample letter for requesting an AccessNI certificate

    Information provided in this way should be treated in line with AccessNI’s code of practice.

    • AccessNI Code of Practice 

    Policy statement for registered bodies

    To reassure people undergoing AccessNI checks, registered bodies must also sign and keep a policy statement which confirms they meet AccessNI’s code of practice.

    • Sample policy statement for registered bodies 

    AccessNI audits registered bodies to make sure they keep accurate, signed security and policy statements.

    Employers who receive disclosure certificates must follow data protection rules.

    Paying for disclosures

    A registered body must pay for AccessNI checks on account. AccessNI issues a monthly invoice for a registered body’s completed checks during that period.

    AccessNI can review the registration status of an organisation that doesn’t pay within 30 days. AccessNI can cancel an organisation’s registration for unpaid invoices.

    When an employer changes AccessNI registration details

    A registered body is responsible for keeping their account details accurate. To make changes they should log into their online account.  This includes changes to:

    • name
    • address
    • website
    • contact number

    Umbrella bodies

    If an employer needs less than 20 checks in a year, they can use an umbrella body to make applications to AccessNI. Most umbrella bodies charge fees for their services.

    An umbrella body is a registered body that manages standard and enhanced checks for non-registered organisations. 

    • AccessNI umbrella bodies

    Contact AccessNI

    Contact the AccessNI customer helpline to get advice or help with an application by phone on 0300 200 7888.

     

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    AccessNI for employers

    • AccessNI advice and complaints
    • AccessNI registered bodies
    • AccessNI registered bodies - signatories
    • AccessNI responsible bodies
    • AccessNI umbrella bodies
    • Checking job applicants, employees and volunteers
    • Disputing an AccessNI certificate
    • Employer obligations and fair treatment
    • Find an AccessNI umbrella body
    • General information for AccessNI employers
    • Guides, forms and templates for AccessNI employers
    • Online services for AccessNI employers

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